WP4
7 - UCY
Multidisciplinary Architectural design optimization
4
36
The main objective of the work package is to use coordination methods for multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) of buildings with emphasis on structural and environmentally benign engineering. Furthermore, in this work package we intend to investigate and propose interdisciplinary design methodologies towards topologically optimized structures with regard to architectural and engineering disciplines concerned. Such multidisciplinary design approaches are primary influenced by the interrelated disciplines, the process of design, its iteration and integration steps involved, horizontally by the platforms of digital design, computation and fabrication applied. Computational platforms of operation and realtime performance simulators provide meanwhile robust visualization and feedback features that can be associated with geometrical digital design models and numerical optimization. Design developments at various stages encompass further parametric investigations with regard to form, material and structure. In this respect, a redefinition of design objectives and procedures is needed in respective developments [4]. At the same time, integration processes within the design process suggest a reconsideration of the working boundaries of interrelated disciplines, like for example architecture and engineering.
WP4 - Multidisciplinary Architectural design optimization [Months: 4-36]
UCY
Energy-efficient building design requires analysis that involves multiple disciplines. When the coupling among these
disciplines is strong and/or when the associated design optimization problems are large (number of variables can/or
constraints), monolithic solution approaches may be inadequate. In such cases, decomposition-based multidisciplinary
design optimization (MDO) formulations are required, which in turn necessitate appropriate coordination strategies
to account for the interactions among the decomposed, yet linked, disciplinary problems to ensure that the obtained
solutions are consistent.
In this WP, we will tailor a non-hierarchical coordination method that was developed for simulation-based engineering
design to the needs of building structural engineering and energy systems. This method was an extension of a
hierarchical methodology called analytical target cascading (ATC) that was originally developed to support requirements
management in product development. The non-hierarchical extension removed the restrictive hierarchy assumption and
made the method amenable to solving general MDO problems. It has been used in the past mostly in automotive and
aerospace engineering applications, but its usefulness has been demonstrated in other application domains, including
manufacturing systems and limited applications to civil engineering design problems. Such problems have modest
problem sizes. The main challenge that this research will address is dealing with structural problems that involve much
larger numbers of variables and/or constraints. The numerical behaviour of the coordinating scheme, based on using
augmented Lagrangian penalty functions and method of multipliers updating schemes, will be investigated and enhanced
as necessary.
In addition, the formulation of the design problems will be adjusted to allow for solving shape and topology optimization
problems. Previous applications of the non-hierarchical ATC method considered traditional “sizing” design optimization
problems. Therefore, the appropriateness of problem formulations for fundamentally different design problems as well
as associated optimization algorithms must be assessed. Based on the researchers’ for 15 year experience in MDO,
while the principles of coordination methods and strategies are standard, the implementation details vary substantially
from problem to problem and application domain to application domain. Therefore, extending the applicability of nonhierarchical
MDO coordination methods to building design is a novel and significant contribution to all pertinent fields.
The process of interdisciplinary design directly related to structural performance, enables investigation, development
and effective management of the complexity of the systems through modelling and simulation processes of interrelated
form, structural components and materials. The development of topologically optimized structures may be achieved
on the basis of performance-based design, primarily formulated through individual discipline criteria, or performanceoriented
design, following nonlinear processes in achieving most appropriate design solutions as to multiple criteria [5,
6]. Furthermore, a bottom-up approach may be followed, when the structure typology, the geometrical and structural
restrictions of the system are iteratively determined. On the other side, a top-down approach refers to the design
of structures conceived from initial conceptual stages, following certain performance evaluation criteria [7, 8]. The
investigation of different modes of design operation and interactive development of the disciplines involved, comprise
the following Tasks of the WP:
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Task 4.1: Investigations on Methodologies of Multidisciplinary Design
The WP will be initiated with a systematic investigation of case examples and interdisciplinary design methodologies
of structures in architecture. Key aspects of performance-based and -oriented design will be identified and investigated
together with the implicated modes of operation with regard to the nonlinearity and iteration degree of the design
process [6]. In this frame, continuous design iterations dealing with creativity, accuracy, optimization and realization may
respectively represent different phases of the design process, including a conceptual design phase, detailed phases and
fabrication. Throughout the development, a number of in-between development phases constitute the process of iterative
design refinement, while any design process may be repeated until a desirable solution is achieved. This implies that any
development from concept to detail and fabrication may be re-evaluated within a performative context in a nonlinear
way, i.e. by moving from the conceptual to the detailed design phases and the fabrication, and the other way round. In
parallel to such nonlinear approaches within the design process realized through certain cyclic interdisciplinary design
steps, also interactivity within the decisions making processes provides further levels of operation modes [9]. Such
iterative steps of multidisciplinary design, verification and optimization will be examined, for the definition of related
developing processes that may further define influencing values and parameters of topologically optimized structures.
Task 4.2: Digital Parametric Aided Design
In this task, the application of Digital Parametric Aided Design principles, that are used as the platform of operation
towards the design optimization of structures, and related case studies will be reviewed and discussed further, suggesting
in parallel possible directions of investigation. The relatively new area of Digital Parametric Aided Design allows
the effective design development of any complex and non-standard architectural and structural system [10]. This,
in combination with the ability of specific tools to effectively develop and model the morphology and behaviour of
architectural and structural systems [11, 12], which are influenced by internal or external conditions (e.g. structural,
environmental, etc.) allow their flexible and dynamic control during the optimization process. A procedure that can be
characterized as an open-ended, whereas the results are not fixed but continuously changeable, allowing modifications
of the initial morphology until final solutions are achieved. This can be applied in various stages of the process including
the early conceptual and the detailed design stages [5], leading to optimized solutions according to performance-based
and/or –oriented design criteria. Within this framework, Digital Parametric Aided Design tools will be applied for: a)
3D modelling and geometrical development of suggested structural morphologies, b) Morphological and behavioural
control of structures during the process of optimization, c) Dynamic and real time analysis of structures based on building
performance criteria. Aim is the real time evaluation of structures’ performance according to the selected criteria in a
continuous feedback loop process leading to the best possible morphological solutions in each case study.
Task 4.3: Manufacturing
This task will be concentrated on the investigation and development of physical prototyping mechanisms that can
be applied in various scales of suggested architectural and structural systems aiming at further evaluation according
to their constructability, their ability to be easily assembled as well as according to their static performance. The
numerical control of construction processes is considered as an indispensable part of the Digital Parametric Aided Design
investigation due to the ability of fabrication mechanisms to be effectively used for the manufacturing of complex and
non-standard morphological outcomes [13]. Towards this direction, an initial investigation into possible fabrication
mechanisms will be reviewed, discussing their limitations and potentials [14] as well as their ability to be applied in
manufacturing as part of an additive or subtractive fabrication process [15]. Within this framework, 3D rapid prototyping,
CNC laser cutting, as well as robotically driven fabrication methodologies will be reviewed. Then, according to the case
study under investigation, fabrication strategies will be suggested taking into consideration in each case, the ability of
machines to be effectively applied in order to achieve desirable outcomes based on the selected scale of investigation.
3D printer technology can be used in the early stage of process where small scale prototypes for visualization purposes
are necessary to be developed. Then, laser cutter technology can be applied due to its ability to allow flexibility with
regard to the selection of appropriate material as well as its large working area, allowing large scale prototypes close
to the actual scale of structures to be developed. Finally, for actual scale prototypes, robotically driven technology
can be used, offering the capability to the users to respond and find solutions according to specific manufacturing
demands and material selection [16]. The integration of different end-effectors to the robotic machine, for instance router
for milling purposes, gripper for assembling as well as other custom made end-effectors for subtractive or additive
fabrication purposes, can allow structural accuracy and reduction of manufacturing defects [16]. Finally, the advantages
and disadvantages of selected manufacturing techniques in each case study will be discussed and their performance will
be evaluated.
Task 4.4: Engineering Optimization
Recent developments in the area of digital modelling of architectural and structural systems and their ability to be
integrated with performance analysis platforms of operation allow investigation towards the best possible solutions that
satisfy morphological, architectural, structural or other criteria from the early conceptual design stage. This is found to
be useful especially due to the current design demands where multi-objective design criteria are involved. In this task,
technological developments in the area of digital modelling and analysis will be reviewed, discussing their potential
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to be used towards engineering optimization. Particularly, the current ability of digital design tools to be integrated
with engineering platforms, aiming to be used in the initial stage of design investigation will be presented. Also, the
ability of such mechanisms to be used for the dynamic development and control of complex morphologies and their
ability to actively participate in the performance evaluation of buildings and structures using analysis software (finiteelement
analysis, environmental analysis software, etc.) will be demonstrated [17, 18]. Finally, the way in which different
digital design and performance analysis platforms are integrated as part of the engineering optimization process will be
exemplified in a number of case studies where different criteria of investigation are specified.
Task 4.5: Performance-based Multidisciplinary Design for Topology Optimization
Aspects of integration of related disciplines involved in performance-based and -oriented multidisciplinary design will be
investigated (e.g. architecture, structural and construction, environmental and material science disciplines) and applied
in design case examples aiming at structural topology optimization, primarily to be achieved from different discipline
areas and design iteration steps. In this frame, the syntax of multidisciplinary design following processes of topology
optimization will be examined and methodologies of nonlinear design development and integration will be evaluated
with regard to their efficiency of integration, development and performance achieved within the final results.
Partic
